UCNJ Launches $30M Modernization of Physical Education Center

The Union College of Union County (UCNJ) in Cranford, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $30-million modernization project for its Physical Education Center (PECK), according to a news release. The college partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the project’s design, transitioning the existing 42,000-square-foot structure into a campus hub for student athletics and campus life. Completion is scheduled for fall 2027.

New amenities will include expanded athletic areas with improved seating, a dedicated wrestling center, an upgraded weight-training center, an NJCAA-regulation basketball court, multiple physical training rooms, and the addition of multi-purpose and academic classrooms, according to the news release. The project consists of 30,500 square feet of renovation and 30,000 square feet of new additions.

“This modernization represents a profound investment in UCNJ’s student success and community engagement,” said Vincent Myers, principal at DIGroup. “Our design delivers on a vision that the PECK facility will be a high-performance, flexible resource, serving as a multi-purpose venue, from hosting competitive NJCAA athletics to serving as an academic ‘classroom’ for programs like sports management, for decades to come.”

The PECK facility will be “the centerpiece of the UCNJ campus,” according to the news release, and host major campus events including graduation ceremonies.

“This is an exciting moment in the PECK’s life cycle, as it delivers such a comprehensive transformation,” said Kelli Glasgow, DIG Associate Principal and senior project manager. “By integrating ultramodern facilities, complete with new academic spaces and capacity for large community events, the new PECK will truly maximize value and usage for the college and the greater Union County community.”

The college also partnered with M&M Construction Company, Inc., for general contracting services.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • St. John Fisher University

    Classroom Revitalization – Basil Hall Room 216

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. St. John Fisher University's Basil Hall Room 216 Classroom Revitalization has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of Spaces.

  • Harvard Announces Replacement Facility for Native American Program

    Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently announced that construction will begin this spring on a new home for its Native American Program, according to university news. The 6,500-square-foot, all-electric building will stand three stories and serve as the central hub for the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP).

  • Universities Continue to Launch Multimillion-Dollar Campus Transformations

    What makes the current wave of campus development especially noteworthy is its emphasis on multi-use functionality and community integration. Institutions are no longer investing solely in academic or athletic facilities in isolation. Instead, they are creating destinations that blend recreation, health, housing, and event-driven economic activity.

  • Porter Family Center

    Porter Family Center for Innovation and Academics

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Porter Family Center for Innovation and Academics has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.